Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Robertson Basalt Tall Open-forest in the Sydney Basin and South Eastern Highlands Bioregions
Gazetted date:
15 Jun 2001
Profile last updated:
09 Aug 2023
Description
This community is related to the EPBC listed 'Upland Basalt Eucalypt Forests of the Sydney Basin Bioregion' Threatened Ecological Community. It has a listing status of 'endangered' under the EPBC Act.
Robertson Basalt Tall Open Forest is an open forest or woodland reaching to 30 m tall with a sparse to moderately dense shrub layer and a dense herbaceous ground layer. Dominant tree species include Brown Barrel Eucalyptus fastigata, Manna Gum E. viminalis, Narrow-leafed Peppermint E. radiata and Mountain Grey Gum E. cypellocarpa. Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon is a common small tree species in this community. Common shrubs include Coprosma quadrifida and Senecio linearifolius. The composition of the community varies across its distribution, largely reflecting a rainfall gradient from east (near the Illawarra Escarpment) to west (near Bundanoon).
Distribution
Robertson Basalt Tall Open Forest is restricted chiefly to occurrences of Robertson Basalt on the Southern Highlands of NSW but also found on the Cambewarra Range to the south. It is found in the Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven local government areas, but may occur elsewhere in the Sydney Basin Bioregion.
Habitat and ecology
- Found on highly fertile soils derived from basalt.
- Found mostly on rolling hills on gentle to steep slopes.
- Occurs in areas with rainfall between 1000 mm to 1600 mm.
- Disturbed remnants are considered to form part of the community if the vegetation is likely to respond to assisted natural regeneration.
- About 400 hectares, or less than 15% of this community's original occurrence has been estimated to remain.
- Most remnants are small and isolated pockets on private land.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Continued clearing, degradation and fragmentation of remnants for agricultural activities and the development of small holdings and further subdivision for urban use.
- Invasion of remnants by non-native and native plant species.
- Grazing, browsing and trampling by deer resulting in loss of plant species (simplification of the understorey and ground-layer and suppression of overstory), erosion and other soil changes (including increased nutrient status) and spread of weeds.
- Harvesting of firewood (either living or standing dead, including material on the ground).
- Lack of knowledge regarding burning regimes.
- Inappropriate burning of remnants.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Do not burn remnants.
- Do not harvest firewood from remnants (this includes living or standing dead trees and fallen material).
- Fence around sites and revegetate to increase the size of remnants.
- Fence remnants and exclude stock grazing.
- Undertake weed control (taking care to remove only target species).
- Protect all sites from further clearing and disturbance.
- Ensure remnants remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish them by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for fauna, and flora (pollen and seed dispersal).
- Mark remnants onto maps (of the property, shire, region, etc) and use to plan activities (e.g. remnant protection, rehabilitation or road, development proposals).
Information sources
- Fisher, M., Ryan, K. and Lembit, R. (1995) The natural vegetation of the Burragorang 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 4(2): 143-215.
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